Summary
FollowingCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s disappointing critical performance, fans are hoping thatCall of Duty2024 will be a return to form. With four years of development, Treyarch has a chance to deliver plenty of polished content for multiplayer and Zombies fans, though players are hoping that a lot of attention will be given to the campaign as well. After all, this was the part ofModern Warfare 3that has been criticized the most, asOpen Combat Missionsand a lackluster story are something the next game has to avoid. It also needs to get its characters right, something thatMW3was criticized for.
Whether it was Gaz having very little to do or Soap being written out of the story before he gets a chance to shine, it can be argued that the latestModern Warfaregame fumbled the iconic Task Force 141. Fortunately forCall of Duty2024, this is unlikely to happen thanks to the title’s rumored Gulf War setting. While the game is expected to be a continuation of theBlack Opssubseries, the existing timeline means that it cannot feature the franchise’s two most iconic protagonists. However, that does not mean that a returning figure cannot be the campaign’s lead, as Russell Adler is an ideal candidate for a playable character.
Why Adler Makes Sense as Call of Duty’s Next Protagonist
Mason and Woods Will Be Out of Commission In The Gulf War
Assuming that the Gulf War setting leak turns out to be true, Adler is an ideal candidate forCall of Duty2024’s protagonist by default. This is because the Gulf War took place between 1990 and 1991, starting one year after Raul Menedez’ revenge. In 1989, the iconicBlack Ops 2villain trickedFrank Woodsinto shooting Alex Mason. While Mason can live through this event if players aim for his lower body, he apparently goes into hiding for a few decades if that happens. After all, if he were to fight in the Gulf War, surely word would get back to Woods. Speaking of Woods, he is crippled by Menendez after Mason’s apparent death no matter what choice players make, so he could not fight in the Gulf War.
Hudson would not be an option for a protagonist for the same reason, as he was also killed as part of Menendez’ revenge in 1989. Additionally, Park or Lazar’s fate being tied toplayer choice inBlack Ops Cold Warmeans it is unclear who officially survived, so neither makes sense as a protagonist.
Adler is an Interesting Call of Duty Character That Deserves a Leading Role
IfCall of Duty2024 wants to use an existing character within its campaign, Adler is the only option that makes sense, as David Mason would only be 10 years old and the other characters are out of action by the time of the Gulf War. Fortunately, Adler would make a fine protagonist for aCall of Dutycampaign. WhileModern Warfare’s Task Force 141 consists of charismatic action heroes,Black Ops’ protagonists tend to be tortured individuals that reflect the horrors of war - and Adler certainly fits that description. Not only was he forced to deceive and kill the player characterBell inBlack Ops Cold War, but he was then brainwashed by Stitch in the game’s post-launch story.
InCall of Duty2024, classicBlack Opsstorytellingelements like the Numbers could be reintroduced if Adler were to return, as they could be a lingering symptom of his brainwashing just like what Alex Mason experienced. Seeing Adler feeling guilt over what happened with Bell could lead to some strong character moments, and his continued struggles after what Stitch did to him would make him likable. While another player-created protagonist could be introduced in a Gulf WarCall of Dutycampaign, more can be done with Adler, as he is a complex character who was well-acted inBlack Ops Cold Warand has a unique look thanks to his facial scar that makes him marketable.
